THE NATURAL SOUTH

Welcome to Natural South

Travel anywhere in southern Tasmania and things get truly wild.

The Southern Ocean lashes the island’s edges, cliffs tumble hundreds of metres into the sea, and the mountains of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area loom large on the skyline.

Prepare to explore southern Tasmania’s diverse national parks, covering mountaintops and coastlines, and caves burrowed deep beneath. Here we provide a brief summary of all there is to explore in the beautiful Natural South.

Hartz Mountains National Park

At the edge of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area is Hartz Mountains National Park. Its high peaks are surrounded by the mountainous south-west wilderness and the rolling green hills of the Huon Valley.

This dramatic dolerite mountain range is dotted with small glacial lakes and alpine vegetation, including the straight, towering trunks of wet eucalypt forests and shrubby alpine heath. It was one of the first hiking destinations in Australia, and continues to be a popular place to explore on foot.

The centrepiece of the park is the rugged Hartz Mountains range, rising 1,254m above sea level. Undertake the Hartz Peak walk to conquer the park’s highest mountain. The spectacular trail is flanked by short, green alpine scrub and piles of patchy dolerite rock. Reach the park’s highest summit looming above the tranquil Hartz Lake. From here, mountain peaks stretch in every direction into the remote and vast World Heritage-listed wilderness. Breathe deeply and embrace the peace and quiet. This return trek is 7.4km and takes around three to five hours, but there are also shorter tracks to explore.

Discover a string of glacial lakes dotted across the base of the Devils Backbone ridge – a spiky set of crags jutting sharply from the mountainous landscape. Venture past Lake Esperance and Ladies Tarn. These pools of inky, calm water are tucked snugly beneath the rocky green peaks.

Crossing the Hartz Plateau, the 2 km Lake Osborne passes by the Devil’s Marbles, a collection of boulders dumped by ancient glaciers, to a beautiful glacial lake surrounded by primeval King Billy pines exuding a pleasant cedar-like scent.

Or take a 20-minute, 1km return hike to Arve Falls, through rare snow gum woodland to the plateau edge, where a towering waterfall cascades to the valley below, filling the air with its soothing sound.

South Bruny National Park

South Bruny National Park is a haven of raw beauty and rare wildlife, where the Tasman Sea meets the Southern Ocean.

Framing the untamed southern fringes of Bruny Island, this national park is a place of high cliffs, long beaches and one of Australia’s most evocative lighthouses. Eucalypt forests, coastal scrub and heathland tip into the Southern Ocean in dramatic fashion.

At Cloudy Bay, powerful waves roar ashore, creating a space that’s all things to all people: a campground, swimming spot, walking trail, four-wheel-drive road and surf location. Wander the length of the bay and ascend through colourful heath to the point of the headland on the 12 km East Cloudy Head walk.

At Cape Bruny, ascend the spiral staircase of Australia’s longest continually operated lighthouse, and step out onto the balcony of the clay-white building constructed in the 1830s. Extending into the wild sea are spectacular cliffs and a pillowy green coastline.

Walks in South Bruny range from easy beach strolls to clifftop climbs. The park also provides shelter to endangered birds such as the forty-spotted pardalote and unique wildlife like rare white wallabies, which often graze near the start of the Fluted Cape walking trail. On this track, follow the coast from the broad beach of Adventure Bay past stubbly, mossy grass and coastal scrub to reach the abandoned whaling station at Grass Point, then ascend through eucalypt bushland to the tip of the cape. Far below the sheer, columned-rock cliffs is a radiant blue ocean, stretching out into a blurred horizon. This 4km circuit takes around two-and-a-half hours.

Loop the perimeter of Labillardiere Peninsula, with an 18km hike along an enchanting coastline that mixes bush and beach. In Spring and early Summer an abundance of wildflowers, such as the spectacular blue and mauve blooms of the spotted sun orchid, carpet the landscape.

Hastings Caves

Ornate caves, thermal springs and forest walks make an inspiring day trip to Hastings Caves.

Located south of Hobart in Tasmania's Wilderness World Heritage Area, the caves were discovered by timber workers cutting trees in the area in 1917.

The star attraction of the Hastings Caves State Reserve is the richly decorated Newdegate Cave, the largest dolomite cavern open to visitors in Australia. Inside are ghostly, needle-like subterranean formations including flowstone, stalactites, columns, shawls, straws, stalagmites and unusual helictites. The caves are surrounded by a beautiful forest and a local population of platypuses, wallabies and pademelons.

Take a 45-minute guided tour of Newdegate Cave's stunning chambers with a park ranger to learn about these curious underground features and become acquainted with the echoing, cavernous atmosphere of the damp underworld. Tours are scheduled several times daily. The caves are spacious and there are no narrow passages. However, please note that the cave tour is conducted in low lighting and involves hundreds of stairs, though these are equipped with handrails.

The Hastings Cave Visitor Centre is the hub of a range of other experiences. Relax in the 28-degree mineral-rich spring waters of the thermal swimming pool and feel the steam soothe you into tranquility, or set out on an easy forest trail through the dainty ferns.

The short Platypus Walk is a five-to-ten-minute, wheelchair-accessible path along the stream behind the thermal pool, with a good chance of encountering the namesake monotreme. The longer Hot Springs Track leads to a confluence where the warm waters of one creek meet the cold waters of another.

From plunging into the depths of a hidden realm, to sinking into a soothing, warm pool, this unique national park is a rare experience well worth the day trip from Hobart.

Southwest National Park

Tasmania’s largest national park is a place of jagged mountain ranges, buttongrass moorlands and primeval rainforest.

Southwest National Park covers almost 10% of the state and is the heart o f the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

It is home to some of Tasmania’s most dramatic and challenging mountain terrain, including Federation Peak, Precipitous Bluff, the Western Arthurs and Mount Anne. However, pockets of the park offer less daunting access to a slice of the vast wilderness beyond.

It has two main road approaches: the Gordon River Road in the north, which winds between epic mountains to reach Lake Pedder and Lake Gordon; and Cockle Creek, the southernmost road end in Australia.

Tasmania’s far-south coast is strung with beaches. The South Coast Track is a week-long walk showcasing the full collection. For an easier option, a four-hour, 15.4km return walk from Cockle Creek takes you to the elemental shorelines of South Cape Bay. The track emerges atop coastal cliffs near Australia’s southernmost point, where a constant churn of white, fizzing waves crashes beneath swirling sea mist.

Deep within the national park is Melaleuca, a former tin-mining settlement accessible only by plane or a week of walking. Along with its rich history, Melaleuca offers insight into Aboriginal culture through sculptural installations along the 1.2km Needwonnee Walk, an ever-changing interpretive experience.

At Duckhole lake, walk for 4.2km through dense forest, largely on a boardwalk, to a flooded sinkhole turned-peaceful lake.

For the lightest walking option, bend, twist and duck your way through the cool-temperate rainforest for 1km on the creepy crawly nature trail, where the forest doubles as an obstacle course. Clamber over giant logs and around moss-covered trees on this fully boarded track on Scotts Peak Road.

This far-flung corner of the island will immerse you in the fiercest, most beautiful of natural environments.

Accessibility

A parks pass is required for entry to Tasmania’s national parks. Trained guide dogs assisting people with vision and hearing impairments are permitted in national parks. However, you will need to obtain a permit for them and carry identification with you. To obtain this permit or for enquiries relating to other assistance animals, please phone the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service or email parkfees@parks.tas.gov.au ahead of your visit.

Conditions in alpine areas are highly changeable and often fierce, so prepare to dress accordingly. The Southwest National Park is particularly remote, so plan ahead and come equipped with all that you need.

Please note that most National Parks are not accessible via public transport. If you are unable to self-drive or cannot organise private transport, you may wish to consider joining a guided group tour. These tours often provide valuable audio insights into the area and may enrich your experience. Tour options include hiking tours in Hartz Mountain National Park, road and boat tours with Bruny Island Safaris and Bruny Island Tours to South Bruny National Park, and wilderness plane, boat or escorted hiking tours to Southwest National Park. Some tours depart Hobart, providing a hassle-free solution for accessing the stunning World Heritage wilderness.

The 716 Tassielink bus service can take you from Hobart to Geeveston, where you’ll find the closest accommodation to Hartz Mountain National Park. The 718 and 719 Tassielink bus services can transport you between Hobart and Dover, one of the closer towns and accommodation options near Hastings Caves State Reserve and the southern end of Southwest National Park.

For more detailed information about park facilities and track gradings please contact the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service or visit their website at www.parks.tas.gov.au.